NBA PLAYER REPS RATIFY NEW CBA; OWNERS STEP TO THE LINE NEXT

At a brief meeting in Chicago yesterday, NBPA player reps
voted 25-2 to approve the proposed CBA. Sacramento and Boston
were the only teams voting against. NBA owners are expected to
ratify the agreement by Friday (THE DAILY). CNN's Mark Morgan
said the victory was "expected," but the margin "was somewhat
surprising" ("Sport Tonight," 9/13).
STRAIGHT FROM CHICAGO: NBPA Exec Dir Simon Gourdine called
the votes for the union and the deal "an affirmation of the
union." NBPA President Buck Williams: "Lately I've been
accustomed to a lot of monkey wrenches being thrown, so I
wouldn't want to go on record saying there are no monkey
wrenches. But I don't forsee anything." NBPA VP Charles Smith:
"It's a good feeling. It's been a long time waiting. We're all
pleased and happy. We know the season is going to start on
time." Bulls Player Rep Steve Kerr: "Most of these meetings
last two meals. We have lunch; we meet again; we have dinner.
This meeting was a snack meeting." 76ers Player Rep Shawn
Bradley: "Let's go to camp. I'm ready" (John Jackson, CHICAGO
SUN TIMES, 9/14). TO THE OWNERS FOR THE SLAM: David Moore
of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS reports that after the players voted
yesterday, the NBA league office "sent the complete terms of the
agreement to the owners and have asked for a telex response by
1pm Friday." 22 of the 29 owners must approve the deal for
ratification by telex. If the vote is held in person on Monday,
only a simple majority of 15 votes is needed to ratify. The
league's lockout is expected to be lifted on Monday (DALLAS
MORNING NEWS, 9/14). NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik: "We
could possibly get it done a bit earlier, but I think we need to
take the weekend to get everyone on the same page with the new
rules" (BOSTON HERALD, 9/14).
DISSIN' THE DISSIDENTS: Moore also reports that the
decertification and ratification votes "have been so decisive
that it appears to leave the dissident group with few real
options." Moore: "Those options were discussed in a conference
call before Wednesday's vote. An agent who took part in the call
said the tone of the group had shifted from one of confrontation
to one of wanting to be recognized for helping to improve the
final deal. The agent said the dissident group now wants to be
included as the wording of the agreement is drawn up. He also
indicated the group would like to play a role in restructuring
and strengthening the union" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/14).
However, the dissidents do have until Tuesday to file objections
to the NLRB decertification election. Agent Bill Strickland:
"What further action, if any, is yet to be determined. We're
discussing our options. The players will make the decision"
(Roscoe Nance, USA TODAY, 9/14).
THE BATTLE OF RICHMOND: Richard Justice of the WASHINGTON
POST reports Kings guard Mitch Richmond "indicated that he will
pursue his unfair labor practices charge against the NBA, while
also collecting signatures in an attempt to have the current
union thrown out of office" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/14). Richmond:
"I'm definitely disappointed there weren't more guys here to
speak their case and speak their minds. We'll have more
discussions and see where we go from here" (CHICAGO SUN TIMES,
9/14). CNN's Mark Morgan said Richmond's pending legal action
"could throw a wrench into the process." Richmond's adviser,
David Odom: "It's very simple. He wants the players to have an
opportunity to vote on ratification without having to make a
decision on decertification. The two issues have been tied in an
attempt to push the deal through." NBPA President Buck Williams:
"Mitch has to do what's in his best interest. He's a dues-paying
member and he has a right to come to the meetings and voice his
concerns and that's what we encourage our membership to do. If
he proceeds legally, you never know what may happen, maybe
another election, but in this situation, we just have to sit and
wait and sort of see what happens" ("Sports Tonight," CNN, 9/13).